Japanese Beetle

The Japanese beetle is a species of scarab beetle. Due to the presence of natural predators, the Japanese beetle is not considered a pest in its native Japan. In North America and some regions of Europe, it is a noted pest to roughly 300 species of plants. Some of these plants include roses, grapes, hops, canna, crape myrtles, birch trees, linden trees, and others. Scientific Name: Popillia japonica Range: Native to Japan; widespread invasive in N. America since 1916 Size: 8–11 mm Status: Invasive ID Notes: Metallic green head/thorax with copper-bronze elytra. White tufts of hair along sides of abdomen — the diagnostic field mark. Behavior / Notes: Notorious garden pest — adults skeletonize leaves of 300+ host plants; larvae (grubs) damage lawn roots. Costs hundreds of millions in U.S. damage annually.